Thermoelectric generator



Feb. 22, 1927.

T. S. FULLER ET AL THERMOELECTRI C GENERATOR Filed March 31. 1925 WEN/W I naoh The'lr-Att 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 1 Inventors:

Truman Sful ler,

an H.Adams,

orney,

1,618,755 Feb. 22, 1927- T. FULLER ET AL THERMOELECTRIG GENERATOR Fil-ed March 31, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 32 Fig- 4 Inventor-s Truman S. Ful ler, Nathan H. Adams,

Their Attorney.

Patented Feb. 22, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATEN OFFICE. Y

' TRUMAN S. FULLER ANT) NATHAN ADAMS, OF SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK, AS-' SIGNORS TO GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION'OF NEW YORK.

THERMOELECTRIG GENERATOR.

Application filed March :31, 1925. Serial No. 19,685

The present invention relates to improvements 1n thermo-electric generators of a type adapted for,operating small electrical apparatus such as the space current devices used in radio broadcast reception.

It is an object of our invention to provide a thermopile unit with a convector or radiator, so arranged and proportioned, that the proper difference in' temperature may be maintained between the hot andcold unctions of the thermopile.

It is a further object; of our invention to provide means for rigidly supporting a lucomprise the convector are in thermal con-- tact with the thermopile from a point including the cold junction of the thermopile to a point less than midway between the hot i and cold junctions. We have found that if the cooling plates are extended closer to the hot junctions the efliciency of the thermopile is lowered. The distance between. adjacent convector plates is widened at the outer portions thereof in order to provide. suflicient area for air convection currents to pass between the plates. While thecoolin means disclosed in the present case may ie used with various types of thermopiles it is particularly adapted for use with a thermopile of the type disclosed in the co-pending application of Nathan H. Adams, Serial No.

19,733. filed March 31, 1925.

The novel features whichwe believe to be characteristic of our invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. Our invent-ion itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation will best be understood by reference to the followin description taken in connection with the f lowin drawing in which Fig. 1 is' a lan view. 0 the thermoelectric generator, 2. portion of the convector or cooling means being broken away. Fig. 2 is a perspectiveview of the thermo-eleetric generator. Fig.

3 is a perspective view of the convector associated wltheach thermopile. Fig.4 is a cross-section taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a cross-section taken on line 55 of Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a portiorr of one of the thermopiles.

Referring to the drawing, we have indicatedat 1 and 2 a pair of opposed thermopilespf the, type pending application of Nathan H. Adams.

Each thermopile has a main body portion 3,

a grooved end 01' head portion 4 and a reduced connecting portion 5. The unlike metal plates forming the thermopile are separated by insulation as indicated atFig. 6. The thermopiles are arranged with their grooved portions in abutting relation to form a central cavity within which is located an electric heater 7. Theheater is provided at the bottom end thereof with a pair of terminals 8 which are adapted to cooperate with a socket member and connector 9, whereby the heater may be supplied with current. An alundum cylinder 10, provided with slots so that it may slide upon the reduced connectin portions 5 of the thermopile, substantial y surrounds the head pordisclosed in the above 00- tions of the thermopiles and heater. Asbestos wool or the like 11 fills the space between the thermopile and the inner wall of cylinder 10. Y

A convector or cooling means is associated with each thermopile. Each convector comprises a plurality of thin metal plates-12 of aluminum or like material, each late having a slot 13 of substantially the epth and width of the thermopile with which it is associated. Adjacent, plates 12 are separated by U-shaped aluminum spacing means 14. The associated thermopile is inserted in the slot formed ineach convector so-that one end of the convector is substantially flush with that end of the thermopile which includes the cold junctions.

Slotted I shaped end plates 15 and 16 are connected to the outer and inner ends respectively of each convector by means of bolts 17 and serve to support the convector and its associated thermopile. The outer end plates 15 are each provided with a narrow vertical slot 18;which is enlarged near its upper and lower end to provide openings for conductors 19 to 22 inclusive which are thermal contact with the sides of each therinopile the end plates are supplied with two pairs of metal blocks 23 attached to the end plates by means of screws 24.- A screw 25 engages each pair of opposed blocks 23. By adjusting screw 25 the. thermal contact of the convector and thermopilc may be varied.

The inner end plates 16 are provided with a central slot of substantially the same depth and width as the associated thermopile. A plate 26 bears on the top of each thermopile. .A' plate 27 is provided at each end with grooves 28 and cooperates with each pair of end plates 15 and 16. The screw '29 engages in plate 27 and bears at its outer end against plate, 26. Byadjusting screw 29 the compression of the thermopile may be varied.

In order that the thermopiles maybe assembled in a fixed position about the central heater each end plate is provided with openings through. which bolts 30 extend. The

- ends of bolts are threaded and provided with nuts 31. By adjusting nuts 31 the heater may be firmly clamped between the oppos-- ing thermopiles 1 and 2 and the thermopiles themselves rigidly maintained in alignment.

Insulating blocks 22 are mounted at the upper end of each end plate 15 A conductor bar 33 is mounted on insulating blocks 32 and connected at each end to one of the terminals of a thermopile. The other terminals of each thermopile areconnected to a socket member 34 mounted on an end plate 15 by one of the bolts 17 The connecting member 35 may extend through grooves in the bottom of the end plate memhers 15 and 16 if desired.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, 1s:-

1. In combination a thermopile having a plurality of superposed unlike metal plates, and a plurality-of integral, relatively thin, metal cooling plates in thermal contact with opposite edges of said unlike plates.

2. In combination a thermopile having a plurality of superposed unlike metal plates and aplurality of relatively thin metal cooling plates in thermal contact with opposite edges of said unlike plates, said unlike plates and cooling plates being in planes substantially perpendicular to each other. r

3 In combination a thermopile having a plurality of superposed unlike metal plates, and a plurality of integral, relatively thin, metal cooling plates in thermal contact with opposite edges of said unlike plates and.

means for controlling the thermal contact between said integral plates and the opposite edges of said unlike plates.

4. In combination a convector comprising a plurality of relativelythin metal plates,

each plate having a slot adapted to accommodate a thermopile and the slots in the several plates being in alignment, aplurality of end plates, and means for supporting said convector between said end plates.

5. In combination a convector comprising a plurality, of relatively thin metal plates, each plate having a slot and the slots in the several plates being in alignment, a thermopile within said slots, a plurality of end plates and means for supporting said convector between said end plates.

6. In combination a thermopile having a plurality of superposed unlike metal plates and a convector comprising a plurality of relatively thin, metal plates in thermal contact with opposite edges of said unlike plates, a plurality of end plates and means for supporting said convector between said end plates.

7. In combination a thermopile having a pluralityof superposed unlike metal plates and a convector supporting said theiinopilc, said convector comprising a plurality of relatively thin, metal plates in thermal contact with opposite edges of said unlike plates, a plurality of end plates and means forsupporting said convector between said end plates.

.8. In combination a convector comprising a plurality of relatively thin metal plates, each plate having a slot and the slots in the several plates being in alignment, a thermopile positioned in said slots so that a portion of the thermopile which includes the cold junctions of said thermopile is in thermal contact with said convector, a plurality of slotted end plates, means for sup porting said convector between said end plates, and means cooperating with said end plates for adjusting the thermal contact between said convector and thermopile.

9. In combination a convector comprising a plurality of relatively thin metal'plates, each plate having a slot and the slots in the several paltes being in alignment, 2. thermopile positioned in said slots so that a portion of the thermopile which includes the an electric-heater in said cavity, and means for clamping said heater between said thermop1les.

11. In combination a plurality of thermopiles, each thermopile having a grooved end portion, said thermopiles being arranged in ahgnment with the grooved portions in abutting relation to form a central cavity, means for supplying heat tosaid cavity, a convector associated with each thermopile and supporting one end of the associated thermopile, a plurality of end plates,means for sup porting said convector-son said end plates, and means associated withsaid end plates for maintaining said thermopiles in align ment. I y Y Y 12. In combination a thermopile comprising a plurality of unlike metal plates and a convectorsupporting said thermopile, said convector including a plurality-of relatively thin metal plates in thermal contact with the opposite edges of said unlike plates, a plurality of end plates, means for supporting said convector on said end plates, and a socket member mounted on one of said end plates and adapted to be electrically connected to said thermopile.

13. In combination a plurality of thernm "iu' the "several plates thermopiles. v

14.,In combination a convector comprising a plurality of relatively thin metal plates, each plate-havin a slo t, and the slots ing in alignment, and a thermopile positioned in said slots so that a portion of the thermopile which includes the cold junction is in thermal contact with said convector.

15. In combination .a thermopile having a plurality of superposed unlike metal plates, and a convector cooperating with the cold junctions of said thermopile, and supporting said thermopile, said convectorcomprising a plurality of relatively thin metal plates in thermal contact with opposite edges of said unlike plates. 7

In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands this 30th day of 'March 1925.

.' TRUMAN S. FULLER.

NATHAN H. ADAMS. 

